Robert Cancio

Thesis - "Migration Los Angeles: The Story of a Cultural Landscape"

Robert Cancio's thesis centers on migration as a cultural work, and examines a case study of 20th century Los Angeles through which he argued that cultural identities of migrants in 20th century Los Angeles create specific impressions or cultural landscapes. Through the use of quantitative methods, Robert demonstrated that not only is Los Angeles a pluralist society rather than a melting pot, but also that there is one similarity within all migrational groups, specifically those that migrate(d) to Los Angeles, which is possessing and practicing a culture of upward mobility through public education.

Robert Cancio

After a May 2013 graduation, Robert moved back to Los Angeles to spend time with his family before embarking on a cross-country trip cutting through the southern United States. He backpacked in Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite; hiked through the Grand Canyon in Arizona; visited Fort Selden State Monument, a former United States Army post for the Buffalo soldiers in New Mexico; toured the Alamo in Texas; feasted on Cajun shrimp in New Orleans; and visited Disney World in Florida--a trip her is certain American Studies students would appreciate. Robert is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Sociology at the University of Miami, where he hopes to build on his interdisciplinary training in American Studies.

University of California BerkeleyOffice of Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Studies, Undergraduate Division - College of Letters & Science